Every mother is a goddess. Creating a human with your body is more than a superpower, and nurturing that new little life is a full-time job. We wanted to feature some special mothers who have a very exciting life in Beijing either as entrepreneurs or creatives, and who might be able to impart a bit of wisdom on finding balance between their professional and familial obligations. With some hair and makeup help from Blow + Bar in Sanlitun, we took to the streets of Beijing for some wonderful pictures that show off their fierce individuality. After all, there’s more than one way to mother.
Ashley Soh is from Singapore and has two sons, Isaac (9) and Abel (6). Soh is the founder of BLOW+BAR, a hair salon with a lifestyle concept that operates five branches across Singapore, Jakarta, and Beijing. Currently, she works as the CEO and marketing head for the company and personally manages four branches across Singapore and Beijing. Soh travels back home every month for about ten days, where she splits her time between work, family, and friends. It is really hard for her to be so far away from her children; they communicate by WeChat every day, but it is never the same. Soh makes an effort to spend as much time with her family when she is home and works around their schedules so that she is always around when they are home from school and work.
Hello, my darlings Isaac and Abel,
Mummy is in Beijing while writing this short letter to you. I have been away for two weeks now and I’m missing you so much! Both of you turned six and nine years old recently and it just made me think how much you have grown these two years since I started working in Beijing. Whenever I return home each month, I feel as if you have grown a little bit taller, smarter, and cuter from since I last saw you weeks ago. Sometimes I wish you could remain tiny like a toddler and there are times I think about just how amazing you will be when you grow up. Seeing how kind and caring you have become and how much love you show to others makes me very proud to be your mom. I believe in the both of you, and I know that you will grow up to be great men who will enrich the lives of others.
It has not been easy for our family that I am away, but we are conquerors and we do better each day, don’t we? Mummy is being very brave here in Beijing too, and I have always taught you to have the right mindset and attitude in life, to see challenges as little obstacles we can overcome.
I am so proud to be your mom; it has been the greatest achievement in my life. You have taught me how to enjoy the little things in life, and the purity of selfless love. You are the best gifts God has blessed me with and I am more than thankful each day. Do know that I will always be here for you and I will always love and support you as you grow into your own unique people. I love you more than anything in the world and nothing will ever change how I feel about you. Continue to shine brightly like stars, my little warriors!
Love always,
Mummy
Photos: Uni You
This article appeared on p48-53 of beijingkids May 2018 issue.
